Of course depending on the degree of the emergency, let start with something that seems like it should be simple.

The dead battery. Although this usually happens when it's cold out and your late for work or it's pouring down rain and your in the middle of the parking lot at the mall, etc.

Since the late Eighties, needing to  jump start your BMW,  Mercedes, or MINI  is not as simple as just hooking up the jumper cables and cranking away, for several reasons;

1. The battery is not necessarily under the hood. It could be in the trunk or under the rear seat. Both places are not the easiest or safest places to be hooking up jumper cables.
2. Vehicle are more and more electrically controlled and are very susceptible to electrical surges. These surges can be very damaging and VERY EXPENSIVE!!

WARNING

Late Model Vehicles With Navigation

We suggest that you DO NOT try jump starting your vehicle. The Navigation Systems are VERY susceptible to electric surges and are VERY expensive to replace.

So, what's the best way to jump start your vehicle?

1. Make sure that neither vehicles are touching, and make sure everything is turned off. Lights, radio, fan motors, defrosters, etc.
2. It's best if both batteries are approximately the same size/strength to ensure sufficient power.
3. Carefully observe polarity, remember, RED is POSITIVE. All BMW's have a Positive jump post located under the hood. Here are several examples show below.
4. Connect the positive ends first, then the grounds (or negatives). CAREFUL, when connecting the last cable, electricity will be live in the jumper cables and will (or should) spark when you connect it. Which also mean that it could potentially shock YOU!
5. With the jumping vehicle off, now try starting the dead vehicle. If the vehicle does not start, or has a hard time turning over. Start the jumping vehicle and allow to charge the dead vehicle for about 30 seconds, or so. When the jumping vehicle still running, again try starting the dead vehicle. If the dead vehicle does not start at this point, your probably not going to get it started and will have to have vehicle towed.
6. If the dead vehicle does start. When removing the jumper cables, Remove them in just the opposite way you put them on, Ground (or negative) first then Positive. Again, this is to help prevent the possibility of electrocution. Additive protection can be had by turning on your heater fan to its highest setting, the rear window defroster, and the low beam headlights. This will help minimize voltage spikes when disconnecting the cables.
7. We recommend that you should have your battery and charging system checked and inspected as soon as possible to prevent any future problems.
   

The ground (or negative) posts are not always supplied.  If your vehicle does not have a grounding post (illustrated in the first two pictures below), then connect your negative cable to one of the three strut mounting nuts (shown on the far right).

(NOTE: This page is for informational purposes. European Autospecialist and it's employees are in no way responsible for any damages done to vehicle by anyone other than employees of European Autospecialist.  European Autospecialist does not condone the jump starting of vehicles)

Tire Information

I'm sure you've heard, the air pressure in your tires can make a big difference in handling and fuel economy. But, did you know that tire information for your vehicle is quite handy to check?  On the center body pillar on the left side (Drivers Side), in the Drivers door opening are two stickers or "plates", one is the V.I.N.  (Vehicle Identification Number) plate, this is your Vehicles Birth Certificate, the other plate has all the tire information. It give the tires size, optional tire sizes and tire pressure settings.

Winter Tips

Keeping Headlights Clean

Car Wax! Just wipe ordinary Car Wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your headlights ....  lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-less Wipers

Squeak-proof your wipers with Rubbing Alcohol!! Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or Ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.

Ice-Proof your Windows

Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts Vinegar to one part water and spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water - - - preventing water from freezing!

Ice-Proof your Doors

Prevent Car Doors from freezing shut with cooking spray!  Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors and rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-Proof your Windshield

Fog-proof your windshield with Shaving Cream!  Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield and wipe it off with a paper towel.  Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-Ice Your Door Locks

De-ice your door lock cylinder in seconds with Hand Sanitizer!  Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key and the problems solved!